Light switch unit



LIGHT SWITCH UNIT Filed Sept. 18, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Wilmer H. Schafer INVENTOR.

9 J BY m 1 MM FM Sept. 29, 1953 w. H. SCHAFER LIGHT SWITCH UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1950 Wilmer H. Sc/rafer DJI'ZLYTOR.

Patented Sept. 29, 1953 UNITED STATES iATENT OFFICE LIGHT SWITCH UNIT Wilmer H. Schafer, Philadelphia, Pa. Application September 18, 1950, Serial No. 185,485 8 Claims. (01. ZOO-51.04)

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in lamp attachments and more particularly pertains to an attachment for lamps in which both the main lamp and the auxiliary lamp may be actuated by means of a single control knob.

An important object of this invention is to provide an attachment for lamps by means of which conventional lamps may be readily converted into lamps having a night light in addition to the main illuminating light.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an attachment, in accordance with the foregoing objects, in which both of the lamps may be selectively actuated, independently of each other, by means of a single control knob conveniently disposed on the upper portion of the lamp shade supporting yoke.

Yet another important object of this invention is control knob may be rotated and reciprocated to selectively and independently actuate either of two lamps or the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a switch and lamp socket unit in which the contact posts for the lamp socket and switch unit are interposed, between the registering faces of the socket and switch unit, thereby electrically insulating the contact posts.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch unit which is of simple and compact construction, which will not detract from the appearance of the lamp attachment, and which is highly efficient for the purposes intended.

An important feature of this invention resides in the provision of a lamp attachment which is carried by the casing of the socket for the illuminating lamp, and which attachment includes a night lamp socket and switch unit which is carried by the upper end of the attachment, which switch unit is operable, by means of a single control knob, to selectively and independently actuate the illuminating light and the night light.

Another important feature of this invention resides in the provision of an attachment, in accordance with the foregoing feature, together with a switch casing for the switch unit, which casing provides a mount for a lamp shade, and which casing is pivotally carried by the attachment to permit tilting of the lamp shade.

A further feature of this invention resides in the provision of a lamp attachment including a lamp socket and a switch carried by the socket for controlling the actuation thereof, with a second switch means carried by the attachment to provide a lamp switch in which a single also for controlling actuation of the lamp socket, whereby the lamp socket may conveniently be actuated from above or below the attachment.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features are attained by this device, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the attachment with parts being broken away and shown in section to show details of construction;

Figure 2 is an exploded assembly View of the switch unit;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch unit;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switch unit taken on a plane transverse the section plane of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the switch unit, taken on the plane 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the switch unit, taken on the plane 66 of Figure 3;

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional View of the switch unit, taken on the plane 'l-'! of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram for the attachment in which the switch unit is utilized to control a single filament lamp in conjunction with the lamp switch;

Figure 9 is a schematic wiring diagram in which the switch unit is utilized to control a three-way lamp.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views.

The lamp attachment, indicated generally by the numeral I 0 includes generally a main lamp unit l2, a pair of standards l4 and a switch and night light unit I6.

The main lamp unit I2 includes a casing having an upper section l8, to which the lower ends of the standards 14 are secured, and a lower section 20, which is detachably secured to the upper section. It is preferred that the lower section be provided with an internally threaded sleeve 22, by means of which the attachment is secured to the lamp base 24. As it is intended that the wires leading to and from the switch unit be disposed within the standards It, and that the standards, which are tubular in cross section, communicate with the interior of the upper section I8 of the lamp casing, the casing is provided with tubular bushings 26 which nonrotatably receive the lower offset ends 28 of the standards.

A lamp socket 30, of conventional design, for the reception of an illuminating bulb 32, is disposed within the casing I8. In the embodiment shown schematically in Figure 8 of the drawings, the bulb 32 has a single filament. In this embodiment it is intended that a lamp switch 34, of the single pole, double throw type, be carried by the socket, the contact arm 36 being movable by means of a button 38, into contact with either of the terminals 40 or 42.

The switch unit I6 includes a casing having an upper section 44 and a lower section 46 which are threadedly connected to each other as at 48. The upper section 44 is provided with internally threaded bores 50 to receive the-externally threaded upper offset portions 5,2;of..the standards I4. It may be noted at this time that the switch casing is also pivotal about thehOIii zontal upper portions of the standards. The up-. per and lower sections of the casing are provided with vertically aligned bores 54 and 56, for reception of the switch and night light unit, to be described more fully hereinafter.

The switch I6 includes a housing58 having a bore 60 therein and a bottom wall 62. The bottom wall 62 is formed with a circular saw-tooth rack, as best shown in Figure'l, each tooth 64 of which rack includes a dwell portion 66, and an abutment portion 68. The dwell portion 60 of each tooth is preferably provided with an arcuate recess I0, which recess receives arcuate contact plates. A first stepped semi-circular contact plate I2 is disposed in the recesses I in two adjacent rack teeth, which plate hasan integral L-shaped projection I i, which extends through an aperture I6 and provides a contact post for reception of the screw 18. As is thought apparent, the projection T4 further serves to retain the contact plate I2 in firm engagement with the bottom. wall, and may be formed as an -i n tegral tab on the contact plate which isangulated and inserted through the bore 16 andthenbent over to underlie the undersurfaceof the bottom wall. A second plate SlLand a third plate 82, are also provided with integral projections 83 which extend, through apertures 84 in the bottom wall, whereby those plates will also be attached to the bottom wall 60. Suitable contact screws 86 are carried by the projections 83.

A cylindrical block 88, .having a reduced extension 90 thereon is formed integrally with the bottom wall 62, and is disposed axially thereof. A contact disk 92' having a pair of diametrically disposed contact fingers 94, is rotatably received on the extension-Sc and rests 'onthe shoulder between the block 80 and the reduced extension 60, in spaced relation tothe bottom wall, the fingers slidably engaging the contact plates. The disk 92 is also provided witha pair ofkeys 96, which are engageable with thearms98 of the actuating key I00, wherebythe disk 92 may be selectively rotated in unison with the key I00 in one direction, the fingers 94 of the disk engaging the abutment portions 68 or the,

rack teeth to prevent rotation of the disk in the opposite direction.

The key I00 is provided with a centrally disposed slot I92, throughwhich the splined extension IM of the longitudinally twisted rod I06 extends. The extension 90 of the block88 is provided with a central'bore I01 which rotatably receives the projecting end of the extension A plunger I08 is vertically reciprocably mounted in the bore 60, which plunger has an enlarged base portion H0. A bore [I2 extends longitudinally of the plunger I08 and slidably and guidably receives the upper end portion of the rod I06, a spring II4 being disposed in the bore II2 to yieldingly urge the rod I06 outwardly thereof. A strap H6 having a slot II8 therein is received in a corresponding recess I in the base portion H0 of the plunger. The rod I06 extends through the slot I I8 whereby the rod and key I00 will be rotated as the plunger is reciprocated. Since the key- I00, is yieldingly biased into engagement with the disk 92, it is thought apparent that relative rotary motion between :the disk and key will be effected when the former is locked against rotation with the fingers 94 --thereof engaging the abutment portions 68 of therack teeth 65.

The upper face of the base I I0 is also provided 7 with an annular saw-tooth rack having teeth I20, each of which has a dwel1 portion I22 and an abutment face I24. A pair of contact plates I26, and I28 are, disposed on diametrically opposite quadrants of, the rack, a pair of contact bars I30 are molded in the material of the base H0, or inserted slots therein, which bars are attached to the contact plates I26 and I20. The bars 530 project laterally of the base H0 and are slidably and guidably received in recess I32 in the'housing'fia' which extend longitudinallyof thebore 60, wherebythe plunger I08 is slidably and non-rotatably received in the bore 60. Contact strips I34 and I36 are disposed in the re- Qesses. mai electricarcontact with the bars I130. The strip I34 is connected to, orformed integrally with the contactplate 1.2, the strip I36 being electrically connected to a socketl38 on the undersurface of the switch casingbottom wall) 62. a

A second contact disk I40, having fingers I42, is rotatably mountedion the plunger with the fingers thereof slidably engaging the rack teeth I2 0. An actuating knob I44 having an axial bore I46. therein is rotatably mounted on the plunger I08, the lower portion of the knob having a diametrically recessed flange I48 thereon. A key I50 on the second contact disk [40 registers with the recess in the. flange I48 vto be selectively and unidirectionally rotated in unison with the knob I44. 7

A cover member I52, having an externally threaded sleeve I54 thereon is disposed over the open end of 'thehousing 58 and slidably and rotatably receives the knob 144., A lock nut I56 is carried by he sleeve I54 and underlies the upper section of the switch casing, a second knurled nut I58 also being carried by the, sleeve 5 tolock nelanip shad mo ntin hub, (not shown) tothe casin A' night light socket I60 which includes. an externally threaded sleeve I62 and a base member I64, .is carried by the housing 58, the base o the socket I60 underlying the bottom wall 62 of the housing 58, and spaced therefrom by the peripheral fiange'l66 on the bottom of the, housing, The socket I60 has a pair of Contact terminals I68 and I10, the'former of which carries a s rew I'I2, the latter being received in the,

socket I38 when the socket .base I64 and housing 58 are secured together.

The cover member I52 carries a pair of arms I14 which are received incorresponding recesses I16 in the housing 58 and base I64, the arms having inwardly directedfingerportions I'I-8 which underliethe base.l6.4. 7 V

.In -the embodiment shown in Figure 8 of the drawmgs the contact strip, I34. electrically con;

nects the plate I2 to the terminal I26 of the turn switch, the conductor I'It being connected by means of the screw ISO to the plate I2, which conductor extends through one of the standards I4 and is connected to a screw Iilll carried by the switch 34, to permit convenient attachment of one of the lead wires I82. The other plate I28 of the turn switch is electrically connected by strip I36, and socket I38 to terminal Illl of the night light socket ifit, Terminal 4538 of the night light socket is connected by a conductor I84, to the other of the lead in wires I82. Contact plates 80 and 82 are electrically connected by conductors I 86 and I88 to the terminals as and i2 respectively of the lamp switch 34. In this embodiment, the night light I92 may be selectively illuminated by rotation of knob M l, while the lamp #39 may be turned on or off by either the lamp switch 34 or the contact disk 92 which is actuated by reciprocation of the knob I 64.

In the second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 9, there is utilized a two filament bulb, the socket 3t being of any conventional construction. It is intended, however, that the socket employed in this embodiment does not have incorporated therewith a lamp switch such as 3:2, as utilized in the other embodiment previously described. The socket may be provided with 4 contact terminals I92, I96, I95 and Itt. The terminal IE2 is in electrical contact with both the filaments 29B and in the lamp 32, the terminals I94 and I 9i; respectively electrically contacting the filaments and 292, while terminal I98 is a blank, it being provided to permit convenient attachment of the lead in wires I82.

The contact plates 2334, 2&6, and 268 in the second embodiment are of slightly different shape than the corresponding contact plates 72, so and 82 of the first embodiment, the plate 233 overlying one rack tooth 64 and a part of an adjacent tooth, while the plate 256 overlies but a portion of a rack tooth. Additionally, the contact arm Silt, is in rotating electrical contact with a terminal 1H2, carried by the housing 55. Obviously a contact screw not shown) extending through the bottom wall 62 and the block 88 in rotating contact with a disk similar to the disk 92, but having a single contact arm ZIfi, would suflice.

The contact plate Ell-i is connected by conductor 53 to terminal Iilii, while plate s is connected by conductor 2M to plate 253, which in turn is electrically connected by conductor 2I6 to terminal 94. The contact arm 21s is connected by conductor tic to the blank terminal I98.

The terminal I 2d of the turn switch 349 is electrically connected by conductor 228 to the conoluctor 22' the terminal I28 being connected by conductor ii'il to the night light socket IE8 which is otherwise connected by conductor 222 to the common filament terminal I92. Thus by merely providing separate contact terminals for strips I35 and i on. the bas or the housing, and by utilizing a centrally disposed terminal in rotating contact with the arm 21s, the switch unit may be utilized to control a three-way bulb having filaments 2% and It is also contemplated that a second dual switch unit such I6 may be substituted for the lampswitch The turn switches of the dual switch units being electrically connected to each other and to the night light socket to permit actuation of the night light from either above or below the lamp shade; the reciprocably actuated switches of the dual switch units being similarly connected together to permit control of the main illuminating lamp from either above or below the lamp shade. Further, it is contemplated that a dual switch unit positioned below th lamp shade may be utilized to provide the sole means of control of the night light and main illuminating lamp.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scop of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A switch unit comprising a casing, a first rotatable switch unit disposed in said casing, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said casing, means responsive to reciprocation of said plunger for rotating said first switch unit, a control knob nonslidably and rotatably mounted on said plunger, a second switch unit carried by said plunger, said control knob operatively contacting said second switch unit to rotate said second switch unit in response to rotation of said control knob, contact strips disposed in said casing, and second switch contact fingers carried by said plunger slidably contacting said strips.

2. The combination of claim 1 including plunger guides in said casing for limiting rotation of said plunger relative to said casing.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said contact strips are disposed in said guides, said contact fingers extending into said guides.

l. A switch unit comprising a casing, a first rotatable switch unit disposed in said casing, a plunger reciprocably mounted in said casing, means responsive to reciprocation of said plunger for rotating said first switch unit, a control knob non-slidably and rotatably mounted on said plunger, a second switch unit carried by said plunger, said control knob operatively contacting said second switch unit to rotate said second switch unit in response to rotation of said control knob, contact posts disposed on the external undersurface of said casing, means electrically connecting said contact posts to said first and second switch units, a lamp socket carried by said casing and overlying said contact posts, means electrically connecting one of said switch units to said socket.

5. A switch unit comprising a casing having a bore therein, a first switch unit, said first switch unit including stationary contacts fixed in said bore, an axial bearing in said bore, movable contacts journalcd on said bearing, a plunger slidably and non-rotatably mounted in said bore, a second switch unit, said second switch unit including stationar contacts fixed on said plunger, an operating knob slidable in said bore and rotatable and non-slidable with respect to said plunger, movable contacts carried by said knob and cooperating with the contacts fixed on said plunger, driving means responsive to sliding movement of said plunger for rotating said movable contacts of said first switch unit.

6. A. switch unit comprising a casing having a bore therein, a first switch unit, said first switch unit including stationary contacts fixed in said bore, an axial bearing in said bore, movable contacts journaled on said bearing, a plunger slida second switch-- unit, said second switch unit includingstationary-'contactsfixed on said plunger, an operating-knobslidable in said here and rotatable and non-slidable with respect to said plunger, movable contacts carried by said knob andbooperating with the contacts fixed on said plunger, driving means responsive to sliding movement of said plunger for rotating said movable contacts of said first switch unit, contact strips insaid bore, brush means carried by said plunger connecting said-fixed contacts to said contact strips.

'7.- A multiple switch'comprising a casing, a bore-in said casing, a plunger non-rotatably, slidably mounted in said 'bore, a first switch unit including fix'ed contacts mounted adjacent one end'o-f' said bore, rotatable contacts journaled for cooperation with said fixed contacts, actuatingmeans responsive to sliding motion of said plungerfor-rotatingsaid rotatable contacts, an operating knob slidable and rotatably mounted in said bore, said knob being rotatable with respect to said plunger, a second switch unit including fixed contacts mounted on said plunger, movable contacts mounted on said knob.

8. Amultiple switch-comprising a casing, a bore in said casing, a plunger non-rotatably, slidablymountedin said'bore; a first switch unit includingfixed-contacts mounted adjacent one endof-"said bore, rotatable contacts journaled' forcooper'ation with-said fixed contacts; actuat ing' means responsive to sliding motion of' said" plunger for" rotating said rotatable contacts, an operating'knob slidable and rotatably mounted strips",- said brushes-being connected to said fixed contacts.

WILMER H. SCI-IAFER.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,208,540 Godinez Dec. 12, 1916 1,832,857 Collier NOV. 24, 1931 2,167,458 Lieberman July 25, 1939 2,334,538 Bryant NOV. 16, 1943 2,341,837 Andrews Feb. 15, 1944 2,453,035 Ponsy' NOV. 2, 1948 2,576,836 Hflsinger, Jr NOV. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 735,753 France" Sept. 6, 1932' 

